The Employee Recruitment and Retention Handbook » (1st Edition)

Diane Arthur (Northport, NY) is a well-known human resources consultant, trainer, and the author of several books, including The Complete Human Resources Writing Guide and Recruiting, Interviewing, Selecting & Orienting New Employees.

Here is the definitive recruitment and retention guide for the today's employment environment. It reflects the realities of a workplace in which job candidates are scarce, competition for good workers is fierce, and employees are expecting greater incentives to stay.

Because it's the first in-depth resource to blend new strategies with traditional and emerging best practices, this handbook covers everything you need to consider as a recruiter and HR professional.

Despite swings in the economy at large, employers are facing a steady and unprecedented labor shortage. In almost every field, the demand for skilled employees continues to exceed the supply. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the situation will only worsen, projecting a shortfall of 10 million workers through 2008. Other experts estimate that the labor/capital inversion may last for 25 years.

As this competitive environment stretches into the future, how can your company be sure that it finds and keeps the best employees now? The solution lies in recognizing how employment needs are changing -- and in anticipating as well as addressing those needs. This comprehensive handbook will position you to do just that. Filled with insights from best-practices employers, it analyzes the shifting employment picture. You'll discover a blend of new and proven methods designed to help you recruit and retain top performers.

HR expert Diane Arthur starts by examining today's diverse workforce in depth. Citing examples from companies ranging from Cisco to Kron Chocolatier, she reveals which incentives and benefits really matter to employees ... how they define loyalty ... and why they may ultimately choose to stay with your company or leave it.

If you've been seeking a compendium of solidly creative HR ideas, you'll find it here. With an eye toward the bottom line, Arthur compares traditional recruitment sources like employee referrals and newspaper ads to innovative efforts such as billboard advertising and company-sponsored events. A key chapter probes the benefits and drawbacks of recruiting online, whether via your company's own Web site or a generalized site.

Of course, attracting good candidates is just the beginning. Now more than ever, you have to be sure they can perform. Arthur provides a refresher course on competency-based interviewing that soundly evaluates a person's likelihood of success in your organization.

Your company must also strive to retain the best talent. This book is filled with ideas for structuring attractive compensation packages and work/life practices that support your business objectives. You'll also learn about unusual but successful perks (private movie screenings, pets at work) and the changing role of training, which helps employees become more invested in your business.

Finally, the author points you toward trends that may ease your long-term recruitment and retention needs. These include such innovations as business/education partnerships, employer consortiums, and the use of autonomous work units.